Human machine interface system for automotive application

ABSTRACT

An integrated control interface is provided for the driver of the vehicle. The control interface employs a plurality of multi-functional switches located proximate to the driver in combination with a display that provides an indicia of the vehicle function controlled by each switch. A control module receives control signals from the switches and initiates control of the applicable vehicle subsystem function in response thereto.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to UnitedStates Provisional Application No. ______ filed on Apr. 8, 2005, andentitled “Human Machine Interface”, the specification and drawings ofwhich are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to human machine interfaces and, moreparticularly, to an improved control interface for a driver of avehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A driver of a vehicle may be required to control a variety of differentsystems within the vehicle. Exemplary systems requiring input from thedriver may include a climate control system, an audio system, anavigation system, and an external communication system. The driverinteracts with one or more input mechanisms associated with each systemto control the operation thereof. To simplify operation, a separateinput mechanism is preferably employed for each controllable feature.For instance, the audio system may have different dedicated inputs forselecting an input source, controlling the volume, adjusting other audiocharacteristics, etc. With an increased complexity of such systems aswell as an increase in the number of such systems in the vehicle, adriver may be required to operate a multitude of inputs. As a result,the driver may encounter difficulty controlling these systems whilesafely driving the vehicle.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved control interface forthe driver of a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an integrated control interfaceis provided for the driver of the vehicle. The control interface employsa plurality of multi-functional switches located proximate to the driverin combination with a display that provides an indicia of the vehiclesubsystem function controlled by each switch. A control module receivescontrol signals from the switches and initiates control of theapplicable vehicle subsystem function in response thereto.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an improved control interface system according tothe principles of the present invention in the context of an automotiveapplication;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a steering wheel illustrating an exemplary switchconfiguration in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary display images as a driver navigatesthrough a menu in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for the control interface system of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed by the control moduleto process commands received from the exemplary switch configuration;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a steering wheel illustrating an exemplaryconfiguration that includes switches and a touchpad in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary touchpad that includes predefinedtouch-sensitive zones capable of initiating a command when actuated by adriver;

FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary display images as a driver searches fordesired music files on a hard disk drive in accordance with the presentinvention; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for a control interface system that includes atouchpad in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an improved control interface system 10 according tothe principles of the present invention in the context of an automotiveapplication. The control interface system 10 combines at least onemulti-functional switch 12 located proximate to the driver of thevehicle in combination with a display image 14 projected into a field ofview of the driver. The control interface system 10 further includes acontrol module which receives control signals from the switches 12 andinitiates control of the applicable vehicle subsystem functions inresponse thereto. Such on-board subsystems include, for example, audiosystem, climate control system, navigation system, and externalcommunication systems. While the following description is provided withreference to an automobile, it is readily understood that the controlinterface system 10 of the present invention is suitable for use inother types of vehicles, including but not limited to airplanes, trains,boats and spacecrafts.

In operation, each switch 12 is able to generate control signals fordifferent vehicle subsystem functions and the display image 14 providesan indicia for which vehicle function is currently controlled by eachswitch 12. Through the use of multi-functional switches 12, the controlinterface system 10 of the present invention is able to reduce thenumber of switches 12 needed to control the different systems residingin the vehicle. In addition, by placing the display image 14 in thefield of view of the driver, a driver is able to actuate the correctswitches 12 without redirecting their line of sight from the road,thereby providing a safer vehicle operating environment. However, it isalso envisioned that the control interface system of the presentinvention may also be employed by other passengers in the vehicle,including those in rear seating locations. In these instances, requisiteswitches and displays would be located proximate to the applicablepassengers.

An exemplary embodiment of a control interface system 10 in accordancewith the present invention is further described below. In this exemplaryembodiment, the multi-functional switches 12 are embedded in thesteering wheel 20 of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 2. In particular, thecontrol interface system 10 employs two switch clusters, each having aplurality of switches. A first set of function selection switches 22 aredisposed on the left side of the wheel; whereas, a second set ofswitches 24 is disposed on the right side of the wheel. It is understoodthat the switch clusters may be placed at other locations proximate tothe driver, such as in a shift lever, center console or other easilyreachable locations.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary display image 30 projected into a fieldof view of the driver. The display image 30 may include variousoperational information such as the speed and direction the vehicle istraveling, the external air temperature as well as other informationwhich may be of interest to the driver of the vehicle. Although thedisplay image 30 is preferably projected onto the front windshield ofthe vehicle by a heads-up display device, it is envisioned that thedisplay image 30 may be projected to other locations and other types ofdisplay devices may be suitable for the present invention. For instance,a VFD or LCD display device may be disposed in the dashboard, on top ofthe dashboard or in a center console.

In operation, the function selection switches 22 are used to navigate amenu of available vehicle subsystem functions. By pressing any of thefunction selection switches 22, a root menu 32 is displayed on thedisplay image indicated at 31. The root menu includes an indicia foreach of the currently selectable menu items. In this example, an indiciais provided for each of the vehicle subsystems which may be controlledthrough the control interface system 10 as well as an indicia forreturning to the previous menu. As shown, an indicia is provided for anaudio system, a climate control system, a phone system and a navigationsystem 36. It is readily understood that the control interface may beemployed for other types of applications, such as satellite radio,portable hard disk drive audio, and a rear seat entertainment system.

Each of the menu items further correlates to one of the functionselection switches. By depressing an applicable switch, the driver canselect this menu item and proceed to a next node of the menu treestructure. To facilitate this process, menu items are preferablyarranged to mimic the arrangement of the function selection switches onthe steering wheel 20. It is readily understood that other switchconfigurations are also within the scope of the present invention.

For illustration purposes, the driver may actuate the upper functionselection switch, thereby selecting the audio system. The correspondingnode of the menu tree structure is then provided on the display image asshown at 34. Again, the display image provides an indicia for each ofthe currently selectable menu items. In this way, the driver is able tonavigate through a menu of available vehicle subsystem functions thatmay be controlled by the switch cluster.

Upon reaching a leaf node of the menu tree structure, the functionselection switches are then used to control a designated vehiclesubsystem function. For example, the driver may select an audio sourceas shown in the display image labeled 36. The driver selects the radioas the audio source by actuating the upper switch or may select the CDplayer as the audio source by actuating the lower switch. An indicia ofthe users selection may be shown in the display image as indicate at 37.When the driver selects the radio, they may then toggle between FM andAM by actuating the upper switch for a second time.

In this exemplary embodiment, the second set of multi-functionalswitches 24 may be used to control commonly requested vehicle functions.Once the driver selects a particular vehicle subsystem from the rootmenu, the second set of switches is assigned a dedicated functionassociated with the vehicle subsystem. For instance, in an audio controlmode, two of the switches may be used to increase or decrease thevolume; whereas, in the climate control mode, the same two switches maybe used to adjust the fan speed. Alternatively, the second set ofswitches may be assigned functions which correlate to the last vehiclesubsystem to be controlled by the driver. In any event, for selectcommonly controlled parameters, the driver does not need to navigatethrough the menu structure but can immediately control through the useof the second set of switches.

As another example of a designated vehicle function, the driver mayselect adjustable equalizer settings as shown in display image 39. Thedriver selects from the different adjustable equalizer settings byactuating the right switch. In this way, the identified menu items mayremain fixed, as actuating the right switch sequences through all of theavailable equalizer settings. When a desired equalizer setting is shown,the driver may use the second set of multi-functional switches 24 toadjust the equalizer setting that is currently displayed as shown indisplay image 40. For example, one switch may be used to increase thecurrent equalizer setting, and another switch may be used to decreasethe current equalizer setting.

Referring to FIG. 4, a control module 41 cooperatively operates with theswitch cluster 42 and a display device 43 to effectuate the requestedcontrol functions. The control module 41 is adapted to receive controlsignals from the switches in the switch cluster 42. In response thereto,the control module 41 implements the requested function. As the drivernavigates through the menu, the control module 41 communicates with theheads-up display device 43 to change the content of the display image.Upon receiving a request to implement a particular vehicle function, thecontrol module 41 is further operable to pass this request along to theapplicable vehicle system. In an exemplary embodiment, the controlmodule 41 sends messages via an internal vehicle network 44 to theapplicable vehicle system which implements the message request in amanner known in the art. Sharing information across a vehicle networkenables the control interface system of the present invention to beeasily integrated with other vehicle subsystems which may be fromdifferent manufactures. It is readily understood that the broaderaspects of the present invention contemplate other techniques for thecontrol module to initiate a requested function.

Referring to FIG. 5, the control module 41 receives commands from theswitch cluster 42, processes the commands, and transmits command signalsto the appropriate vehicle subsystems. The control module 41 alsoreceives feedback from the vehicle subsystems when the commandsrequested by the control module 41 are executed by the vehiclesubsystems. This enables the control module 41 to effectively displayaccurate information concerning the current state of the vehiclesubsystems to the driver via the heads-up display device 43. Anexemplary command processing algorithm begins in step 51. In step 52,the control module 41 determines whether a command was received. Iffalse, control loops to step 52. If true, the control module 41 readsthe current state in step 53. For example, the control module 41 simplydetects when a switch among the multi-functional switches 24 isactuated.

The actual command associated with the particular switch is dependant onthe current state of the control interface system 10. In order to readthe current state, the control module 41 requires information about theprevious state and the last command that was processed by the controlmodule 41. For example, the control module 41 may employ a hierarchicaldata structure. In this case, the hierarchical data structure is capableof controlling transitions between states and maintaining informationthat is required in order to respond to command signals from the switchcluster.

In step 54, the control module 41 determines whether action is requiredbased on the switch that was actuated and based on the current state ofthe control interface system 10. In other words, the control module 41determines whether it is necessary to generate a command signal to betransmitted to a vehicle subsystem. For example, as shown in FIG. 3,actuating a switch while an idle display is being generated by theheads-up display device 43 only changes the appearance of the menuitems. When the switches are actuated solely to navigate the menu items,the control module 41 is not required to generate a command signal totransmit to a vehicle subsystem.

If action is not required in step 54, control proceeds to step 55.Otherwise, the control module 41 evaluates the current command in step56. For example, the control module 41 determines which type of actionis being commanded based on the current state of the control interfacesystem 10 and the particular switch that was actuated. The controlmodule 41 then generates a command signal based on the type of actionthat was commanded. In step 57, the control module 41 sends the commandsignal to the target device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the control module 41 includes a databasethat instructs the control module 41 as to the required format and/orcontent of command signals for individual vehicle subsystems. Forexample, the radio may require a command signal that includes aparticular header or that is a certain size. The control module 41relies on the information in the database to communicate with thevehicle subsystems effectively. Additionally, the database may beupdated as vehicle devices are replaced or upgraded so that the controlmodule 41 can continue to operate the vehicle devices. In this way, aslong as the control module 41 includes information that is necessary tocommunicate with applicable vehicle devices, the control interfacesystem 10 is compatible with any existing or future vehicle.

In step 58, the control module 41 optionally stores current statusinformation about the vehicle device to which the control module 41sends the command signal in step 57. For example, the control module 41may store the current status of the radio in a register file. Thecurrent status of the radio may include the current station that isprogrammed on the radio tuner. Therefore, if the vehicle is turned offand then back on again, the control module 41 already has the mostrecently programmed station stored and is capable of immediatelyinitiating display of the station via the heads-up display device 43.This prevents the control module 41 from initiating redundantcommunication with the vehicle subsystems.

In step 55, the control module 41 determines the next state. The nextstate is based on the previous command received from the switch cluster42 as well as the previous state. As described above, if the controlmodule 41 includes a hierarchical data structure, the control module 41maintains information about responding to command signals, transitioningbetween states, and displaying associated feedback on the heads-updisplay device 43. The next state may also be identical to the previousstate. For example, changing the volume of the radio via the switchcluster 42 does not change the menu items that are currently displayedby the heads-up display device 43.

In step 59, the control module 41 sends display information to theheads-up display device 43 based on the previous command received fromthe switch cluster 42 and control ends. For example, the control module41 may receive a signal from a vehicle device when the vehicle deviceexecutes a command transmitted by the control module 41. Therefore, thecontrol module 41 updates the information displayed by the heads-updisplay device 43 so that the proper menu items are displayed and sothat the driver is aware that the command was executed.

In another aspect of the present invention, a touchpad 65 may also beused to control vehicle functions as shown in FIG. 6. In an exemplaryembodiment, the touchpad 65 is embedded in the steering wheel 20 inplace of the second set of multi-function switches 24. However, thetouchpad 65 may also supplement the two switch clusters 22 and 24described above and/or may be placed in another location proximate tothe driver of the vehicle. Further details regarding an exemplarytouchpad 65 interface may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,819,990 which isincorporated herein by reference.

Referring to FIG. 7, the touchpad 65 allows the driver to controlvehicle devices in unique ways. For example, the driver may use thetouchpad 65 in order to control a cursor on a display within the vehicleor on an image that is projected on a display device 43. The touchpad 65may also include an integrated character recognition algorithm thatallows the driver to traces letters, numbers, and/or other symbols onthe touchpad 65 in order to control vehicle devices. Alternatively, thecharacter recognition algorithm may be integrated into the systemcontrol module 41. An exemplary character recognition algorithm isemployed by the “Handwriting Recognition” feature in Microsoft OfficeXP. The character recognition algorithm or another algorithm may alsodetect when the driver traces a circular motion on the touchpad 65. Thedriver may trace a circular motion on the touchpad 65 in order to adjustthe volume of the radio, tune a frequency on the radio, and/or scrollthough one or more menus that are displayed by the display device 43.

In an exemplary embodiment, the touchpad 65 includes a plurality oftouch-sensitive zones 73 as shown in FIG. 7. The touch-sensitive zones73 are predefined areas of the touchpad 65 that the driver may actuatein order to generate a command for the control module 41. For example,the driver may actuate the touch-sensitive zone 73-5 that is located inthe center of the touchpad 65 to confirm entry of a command. The drivermay also actuate first and second touch-sensitive zones 73-2 and 73-8,respectively, on the touchpad 65 in order to raise and lower the volumeof the radio. Additionally, one or more of the touch-sensitive zones 73on the touchpad 65 may function analogously with one of the switches inthe multi-function switch 22. Functions assigned to each touch-sensitivezone may be dedicated or configurable based on the controlled vehiclesubsystem. If configurable, an indicia of the controller function mayalso be displayed to the user.

Referring to FIG. 8, hard disk drives are being introduced into vehiclesas a means for storing a driver's favorite music and movie selections.Hard disk drives may also be used to record programs received viasatellite radio such as XM radio. In either case, the hard disk drivemay store hundreds or more selections from which the operator maychoose. In an exemplary embodiment, the switches of the multi-functionalswitch 22 control different features of the audio system in the vehicle.For example, a first switch may activate the radio when actuated, and asecond switch may activate the CD player when actuated. A third switchmay activate the hard disk drive when activated, and a fourth switch mayactivate a favorite channel/song menu when actuated. Therefore, thefunctions associated with each of the switches of the multi-functionalswitch 22 may be fixed or identified solely by the menu item titlesdisplayed by the display device 43. In the event that the functions ofthe switches are fixed, the switches may be labeled with text indicatingthe functions.

In an exemplary application, the touchpad 65 facilitates the selectionof an audio entry which has been stored on the hard drive device. Forexample, the operator may trace one or more letters of the name of thedesired audio entry onto the touchpad 65. Character recognitionalgorithms integrated into either the touchpad 65 or the control module41 are employed to determine the touchpad 65 input. In FIG. 8, thebottom switch of the multi-functional switch 22 selects the hard diskdrive feature. Display image 85 shows the associated image generated bythe display device 43. The hard disk drive system may default to anartist name search. However, the hard disk drive system may also defaultto an album name search, a song name search, a playlist name search, agenre search, or a movie title search.

The playlists may include both driver-defined playlists as well asadaptive playlists that are assembled as the hard disk drive is used.For example, the playlists may include a “frequently played” playlistthat automatically includes songs from the hard disk drive mostfrequency played by the driver. In order to change the search method,the driver actuates the bottom button of the multi-functional switch 22until the desired search method is displayed.

After the artist name search method is selected by the driver, thedriver traces a letter on the touchpad 65 with which the name of adesired artist begins. In FIG. 8, the driver traces the letter “M”. Thecharacter recognition software attempts to detect the letter that wastraced by the driver. Display image 86 shows the detected character. Thedriver actuates the center touch-sensitive zone 73-5 on the touchpad 65in order to accept the result. In an alternative embodiment, the controlmodule 41 may assume that the letter entered by the driver is correctand automatically proceed based on the detected input. Display window 87shows the first artist alphabetically beginning with the letter “M” forwhich a music file stored in the hard disk drive. Display window 87 alsoincludes a right arrow 88, which indicates that additional artist namesbeginning with the letter “M” are available.

The driver again actuates the center touch-sensitive zone 73-5 on thetouchpad 65 in order to confirm the result. Additionally, the driver mayactuate the right-side touch-sensitive zone 73-6 on the touchpad 65 tocycle to the next artist name. Display image 89 shows the next artistalphabetically beginning with the letter “M” and also shows both rightand left arrows 88 and 90, respectively. The right and left arrows 88and 90, respectively, indicate that the driver may go back to theprevious search result or cycle to the next search result. For example,the driver may actuate the left-side touch-sensitive zone 73-4 on thetouchpad 65 in order to cycle back in the search results. Additionally,in the event that the search results for a single letter are toonumerous, the driver may trace the second letter included in the word inorder to further narrow down the search results. While display images inFIG. 8 generally display only a single line of text, the presentinvention contemplates displaying a list of search results in thedisplay images.

As shown in display image 91, once the desired artist name is selected,the driver may search for a desired album by the selected artist. InFIG. 8, the driver traces the letter “A”. Display image 92 shows thatthe character recognition algorithm detected the letter “A”. The driveractuates the center touch-sensitive zone 73-5 on the touchpad 65 inorder to confirm the result. As shown in display image 93, the firstavailable album by the artist Madonna is displayed, and the right arrow88 indicates that additional results exist. The driver actuates thecenter touch-sensitive zone 73-5 on the touchpad 65 to confirm theresult. Additionally, the driver may actuate the right-sidetouch-sensitive zone 73-6 on the touchpad 65 to cycle to the next albumname as shown in display image 94.

Since the hard disk drive does not include songs from another Madonnaalbum beginning with “A”, the next available album alphabetically byMadonna is displayed. Additionally, display image 94 only includes aleft arrow 90, as there are no more albums by Madonna stored on the harddisk drive. Therefore, the driver may only cycle backwards in the searchresults by actuating the left-side touch-sensitive zone 734 on thetouchpad 65.

As shown in display image 95, once the album name is selected, the firstsong by track order that is associated with the album begins to play.Display image 95 shows the track number as well as the total number oftracks on the album. Additionally, display image 95 shows the elapsedtime on the track. If the driver desires a different song, the drivermay actuate the right-side touch-sensitive zone 73-6 in order to advanceto the next track. As shown in display image 96, the track number, songname, and elapsed time are displayed.

Referring to FIG. 9, the control module 41 cooperatively operates withthe switch cluster 42, the touchpad 65, and the display device 43 toeffectuate requested control functions. The control module 41 is adaptedto receive command signals from the switches in the switch cluster 42and the touchpad 65. The control module 41 implements a requestedfunction based on the received command signal. As the driver makesselections with the switches 42 and/or touchpad 65, the control module41 updates the content of the display image generated by the heads-updisplay device 43. Additionally, the control module 41 may transmit acommand signal to an applicable vehicle subsystem in response to acommand signal from the switch cluster 42 or the touchpad 65. In anexemplary embodiment, the control module 41 transmits command signals tothe vehicle systems via the internal network 44. The receiving vehicledevice performs the function identified by the command signal.

In addition to the radio, the CD player, and the hard disk drive, FIG. 9shows a portable music device 103 that is removably connected to theinternal network 44. The present invention contemplates control of aportable music device 103 that is analogous to control of the hard diskdrive. For example, portable music devices 103 typically index files byartist name, song name, album name, genre, playlist, or other methods oforganization. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the driver is capable of quicklyand efficiently searching a large database of multimedia content byusing the multifunctional-switch 22 and the touchpad 65.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and,thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention areintended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A control interface system for a driver of a vehicle, comprising: atleast one multi-functional switch located proximate to the driver of thevehicle and operable to generate a control signal for a vehicle functionupon actuation thereof; a heads-up display projected into a field ofview of the driver and providing an indicia of the vehicle functioncontrolled by the switch; and a control module adapted to the receivethe control signal from the switch and operable to initiate control ofthe vehicle function in response thereto.
 2. The control interfacesystem of claim 1 wherein the switch is operable to generate controlsignals for a plurality of different vehicle functions and the heads-updisplay provides an indicia for one of the plurality of vehiclefunctions which is currently controlled by the switch.
 3. The controlinterface system of claim 2 wherein the control module is in datacommunication with the heads-up display and operable to initiate controlof the vehicle function as indicated on the heads-up display.
 4. Thecontrol interface system of claim 3 further comprises at least onefunction selection switch disposed proximate to the driver of thevehicle and operable to select the vehicle function controlled by themulti-functional switch.
 5. The control interface system of claim 3further comprises a switch cluster having a plurality of functionselection switches disposed proximate to the driver of the vehicle andoperable to navigate a menu of available vehicle functions controlled bythe multi-functional switch.
 6. The control interface system of claim 5wherein the heads-up display provides an indicia for menu selectionscurrently selectable via the switch cluster and each of the menuselections correlates to one of the function selection switches in theswitch cluster.
 7. The control interface system of claim 1 wherein themulti-functional switch is embedded in a steering device of the vehicle.8. The control interface of claim 1 wherein the heads-up display isprojected onto a windshield of the vehicle.
 9. A control interfacesystem for a driver of a vehicle, comprising: a switch cluster having aplurality of multi-functional switches located proximate to the driverof the vehicle and operable to generate control signals for navigating amenu of available vehicle functions; a heads-up display projected into afield of view of the driver and providing an indicia of menu selectionscurrently selectable via the switch cluster; and a control moduleadapted to receive a control signal from the switch cluster and in datacommunication with a heads-up display device to change the indicia ofmenu selections currently selectable in response to the control signalreceived from the switch cluster.
 10. The control interface system ofclaim 9 wherein the switch cluster is operable to generate controlsignals for a plurality of different vehicle functions and the heads-updisplay provides an indicia for one of the plurality of vehiclefunctions which is currently controlled by the switch cluster.
 11. Thecontrol interface system of claim 9 wherein the control module isoperable to initiate control of the vehicle function as indicated on theheads-up display.
 12. The control interface system of claim 9 whereinthe switch cluster includes at least one function selection switchdisposed proximate to the driver of the vehicle and operable to select avehicle function controlled by a multi-functional switch.
 13. Thecontrol interface system of claim 12 wherein each of the menu selectionscorrelates to one of the function selection switches in the switchcluster.
 14. The control interface system of claim 9 wherein themulti-functional switches are embedded in a steering device of thevehicle.
 15. The control interface of claim 9 wherein the heads-updisplay is projected onto a windshield of the vehicle.
 16. A controlinterface system for a driver of a vehicle, comprising: a touchpadlocated proximate to the driver of the vehicle and upon driverinteraction therewith operable to generate a control signal for avehicle function; a control module adapted to receive the control signalfrom the analog input device and operable to initiate control of thevehicle function in response thereto; and a display projected into afield of view of the driver and providing an indicia of the vehiclefunction controlled by the touchpad.
 17. The control interface system ofclaim 16 wherein said touchpad includes at least one imbedded switchoperable to generate a control signal for a vehicle function uponactuation thereof.
 18. The control interface system of claim 16 furthercomprises a character recognition algorithm integrated with one of thetouchpad or the control module, wherein the character recognitionalgorithm detects a character that is drawn on the touchpad by thedriver and the control module controls a vehicle function in responsethereto.
 19. The control interface system of claim 18 wherein thecontrol module is in data communication with the display device andoperable to initiate a character verification prompt to the driver inresponse to the character being drawn on the touchpad.
 20. The controlinterface system of claim 19 wherein the control module is operable toinitiate a menu search prompt to the driver based on the character thatis detected and after the driver verifies the correctness of thedetected character.
 21. The control interface system of claim 20 whereinthe menu search prompt includes a symbol that indicates the presence ofa second set of search results that are not currently displayed to thedriver in addition to a first set of search results that are currentlydisplayed to the driver.
 22. The control interface system of claim 16wherein the touchpad includes a motion detection algorithm that detectsa circular motion that is drawn on the touch pad by the driver andwherein the control module controls a vehicle function in responsethereto.
 23. The control interface system of claim 16 wherein thecontrol module initiates a change in one of a volume of a radio, atuning frequency of the radio, or a menu selection in response to thecircular motion on the touchpad.
 24. The control interface system ofclaim 16 further comprises at least one multi-functional switch locatedproximate to the driver of the vehicle and operable to generate acontrol signal for the vehicle function upon actuation thereof.
 25. Thecontrol interface system of claim 16 wherein the touchpad is operable togenerate control signals for a plurality of different vehicle functionsand the display device provides an indicia for one of the plurality ofvehicle functions which is currently controlled by the touchpad.
 26. Thecontrol interface system of claim 25 wherein the control module is indata communication with the display device and operable to initiatecontrol of the vehicle function as indicated on the display device. 27.The control interface system of claim 25 further comprises at least onefunction selection switch disposed proximate to the driver of thevehicle and operable to select the vehicle function controlled by themulti-functional switch.
 28. The control interface system of claim 16further comprises a switch cluster having a plurality of functionselection switches disposed proximate to the driver of the vehicle andoperable to navigate a menu of available vehicle functions controlled bythe multi-functional switch.
 29. The control interface system of claim28 wherein the display device provides an indicia for menu selectionscurrently selectable via the switch cluster and each of the menuselections correlates to one of the function selection switches in theswitch cluster.
 30. The control interface system of claim 16 wherein thetouchpad is embedded in a steering wheel of the vehicle.
 31. The controlinterface system of claim 24 wherein the multi-functional switch isembedded in a steering device of the vehicle.
 32. The control interfacesystem of claim 16 wherein the vehicle function is one of a broadcastradio tuner, a satellite radio tuner, a compact disc player, a vehiclehard disk drive, a portable hard disk player or a navigation system.